COVID-19 patients who undergo surgery are at increased risk of postoperative death – global study
COVID-19 patients who undergo surgery are at increased risk of postoperative death – global study
Patients admitted to hospital for surgical procedures after contracting COVID-19 are at a greatly increased risk of postoperative death, compared to patients undergoing surgery who do not have SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Research conducted through the COVIDSurg collaborative has provided evidence that shows the impact that COVID-19 is having on patients who undergo surgical procedures across the world.
Data collected for 1,128 patients from 235 hospitals, located across 24 countries has resulted in the collective recommending that thresholds for surgery during the pandemic are raised compared to normal practice.
The full paper can be read here.
NIHR-funded study shows patients who isolate before surgery are 20% more likely to develop postoperative lung complications
NIHR-funded study shows patients who isolate before surgery are 20% more likely to develop postoperative lung complications
The COVID-19 pandemic has required patients across the globe to isolate prior to surgery to minimise exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection and its complications.
A new global study from the COVIDSurg collaborative has shown a clear link between isolation of such groups and increased risk of developing post-operative lung complications, compared with patients who do not isolate.
The research team said that the results of the study go against current guidance in common use which mandates isolation before surgery.
The paper can be viewed here.
Urgent changes needed to global guidelines designed to stop surgical site infection
Wound infections are the most common problem after surgery, with this issue being particularly prevalent in developing countries.
New innovations have promised to tackle this issue, but the release of findings from a new study from the FALCON collaborative demonstrate a clear need to change current guidelines.
Carried out in Benin, Ghana, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa, the FALCON trial found that using more expensive interventions to prevent Surgical Site Infection (SSI) were no better than cheaper alternatives.
The full paper can be viewed here.